The World Below Surface

Lin Chu had taken a few steps away when she suddenly turned back, her eyes widening as they caught sight of the unbelievable scene before her. She rubbed her eyes, hoping that what she was seeing was just a trick of the light.

But it wasn't an illusion. The figure that had emerged from the coffin didn't look like a typical revenant or ghost. There was an eerie quality to it, yet undeniably human. This wasn't what death was supposed to look like.

With an almost graceful motion, Lu Yan slowly sat up from the coffin. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, and there, amidst the dense forest, he spotted Lin Chu. It struck him as odd—she was here alone, probably on a mission of some sort. Questions filled his mind as he gazed at her.

Their eyes met, a moment pregnant with unspoken inquiries.

Lin Chu's confusion mirrored his own. The figure before her showed no signs of the decay or bloating that came with death. Despite his deathly pallor, his eyes were vivid and alive. The way he panted, the way he moved—everything about him defied the notion of a ghost.

"Are you... still alive?" Lin Chu's cautious words hung in the air as she observed the pale-faced man rising deliberately from the grave and leaping out.

Lu Yan nodded, his gaze lingering on her before he resumed scanning their surroundings.

The location itself was strange. On one side, the forest stretched into the unknown, while on the other, an expanse of folded terrain rolled out, moonlit rocky surfaces casting an otherworldly glow.

Beneath their feet, the ground was surprisingly soft, as if recently dug.

Not far off, Lucky, the giant dog, wrestled with something in the underbrush. Its shape bore an uncanny resemblance to the old lady they had encountered earlier. Could it be that Lucky intended to eat the old lady? A strange idea, but it might just save him from the fishing ordeal he dreaded.

This notion flitted across Lu Yan's mind, pushing him to venture outward, gathering information while there was still time. He needed to stay a step ahead of Lucky's actions and also ahead of Li Li's likely reprimand.

Was this the forbidden graveyard that Luo Ying spoke of?

With resolve, Lu Yan pressed deeper.

In the quiet of the moment, with no villagers in sight, an absence of resistance caught Lu Yan's attention. Thus, when Luo Ying said that she was unable to enter, he questioned if it was due to her personal background or some external barrier.

Why can't some enter this forbidden ground?

As Lin Chu continued forward, a sense of safety gradually pervaded her, and her once hurried footsteps found a more deliberate pace. She trailed Lu Yan, her suspicion easing. His appearance seemed somewhat divergent from that of a typical villager, a notion that harmonized with the villagers' cryptic hints.

Venturing carefully, she asked, "Are you also here for the ancestral ritual?"

The use of "also" in this sentence would be understood by the other person if they were likewise on a player.

Lu Yan affirmed, "Indeed, are you as well?"

The term "mission" remained unspoken, an omission that intrigued Lin Chu. With names swapped, they navigated their introductory exchange, and Lin Chu, vigilant, shadowed his steps as their journey unfurled.

The path ahead was challenging, a series of uneven steps shaping terraced fields that ascended in layers. Presently stationed at the outermost rim, they advanced around two to three hundred meters inward. Here, the incline grew steeper, gradually guiding them to the next tier.

On every level they traversed, an abundance of graves lay strewn like fallen leaves. Tombstones, hewn from gray-white rock, stood in a stratified manner, culminating in a gentle arc. The breadth of this expanse was immense, the faint curvature hinting at a circular arrangement of graves, a maze of the departed.

What troubled him even more, however, was the stark contrast this stretch of land presented in comparison to the forest opposite it. There were no trees, not even a solitary blade of grass—just bare ground where no vegetation could thrive.

Lin Chu found herself equally taken aback by the sight. She instinctively scooped up some soil from the ground and stashed it in her pocket. The man with them, Lu Yan, though not one for verbosity, exuded a welcoming demeanor that prompted her to inquire, "Do you have a specific destination in mind?"

Lu Yan's response came with a hint of nonchalance, "Just wandering around."

With those words, he resumed his forward momentum.

What might have been somewhat subtle previously had now become unmistakable. An imperceptible drop in temperature brushed against his skin, an eerie chill that seemed to diminish even the moonlight's glow.

He cast a glance over his shoulder, Lin Chu trailing his steps attentively. Sensing her curiosity, he pivoted and questioned, "Feeling a bit cold?"

This sentence, under different circumstances, could've held romantic undertones between a man and a woman. But given their extraordinary nature, Lin Chu deciphered his intention. After a thoughtful pause, she concurred, "The ambient temperature has indeed dropped."

With that, she picked up her pace, tracing a circular route inward. After a brisk trot, she halted once more, furrowing her brow as she gouged her surroundings. "No doubt about it, the temperature has plunged," she remarked.

A growing fascination gripped her—an enigma unfolding.

Circle after circle, reminiscent of targets used in archery practice, formed a pattern around a central focal point. And these concentric rings of graves surrounded something. Why did the chill intensify the deeper they ventured?

What lay enshrouded within the innermost circle?

Step by step, they journeyed into the unknown, uncertain of the distance they had covered. Lin Chu found herself walking almost shoulder to shoulder with Lu Yan, a mere few meters ahead. Unlike him, she couldn't resist capturing the eerie beauty of the tombstones on her camera, occasionally sharing these snapshots with her companions through messages.

Unbeknownst to her, every message she sent since entering this area vanished into the void, like whispers in the wind.

*

*

Inside the car, most presumed her to be lost forever. Amidst the hopeless thoughts, Yu Xiang Guang and An Xing Yu clung to the belief that she persisted out there.

The village of their destination welcomed them with open arms. Yet, when they inquired about the two fellow travelers who, like them, had embarked on this journey of ancestral worship, the villagers were clueless about their whereabouts.

Within the village's boundaries, they were given lodgings within their ancestral homes, almost as if their roles within this eerie mission were planned out, down to their accommodations. Once the five had settled into their respective abodes, they convened for a collective discussion.

Yu Huan's confusion echoed in the dimly lit room, "What about the pair the villagers mentioned? The ones who came for ancestral worship. Could there be two more members in our mission? Did we somehow miss them?"

Lin Xue Yuan spoke up, her brow furrowing in thought, "A man named Lu Yan and a woman named Luo Ying. Lu Yan resided in the Zhang family residence, yet after attending the village chief's mother's funeral earlier tonight, he simply vanished. And Luo Ying..." She hesitated, searching for words, "It seems like the other villagers don't really like her."

Curious, as the village was known for its hospitality; thus, it was perplexing for someone to evoke such widespread dislike within a mere two days.

The question lingered: What had Luo Ying done to evoke such disdain?

Lin Xue Yuan didn't consider herself exceptionally clever. Ever since surviving that miraculous first mission, she had immersed herself in psychology tutorials, absorbing them almost in a self-torturous manner. She'd analyze people's subtle facial expressions and similar cues.

"Besides, have any of you noticed the way the villagers here sort of resemble certain animals?"

At this, Xie Zi Qing from their team nodded in agreement. "I've thought the same, a bit like, well...?"

Like what?

"Foxes," came a feminine voice in response.

"Yes, precisely, foxes," Xie Zi Qing nodded energetically.

Right after he responded, a realization struck him - this voice didn't belong to any of their five members. As he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire courtyard plunged to freezing temperatures. Every head turned in unison towards the doorway.

Xie Zi Qing shuddered in shock, feeling as if someone had grabbed his neck. Slowly, he turned his head to gaze outside.

Standing in the doorframe was a little girl dressed in red. Her hair, long, black, and lustrous, cascaded down to her waist. Her skin, fair and shimmering in the moonlight, made her appear even more fox-like than any of the villagers the previous mission members had encountered. This was especially true when she smiled, revealing a mouthful of snow-white, sharp teeth.

Caught in the act of behind-the-scenes gossip, the embarrassing situation left them little time for reflection. Slowly, the young girl stepped into the yard, her initial smile fading as an immense fury surged within her gaze.

"Do you know Lu Yan?" Her words dripped with an icy chill.

Exchanging glances, the group remained silent, heads shaking in unison. They refrained from speaking, wary of provoking this extraordinary girl.

"It's better if you remain ignorant." The girl's laughter, now chilling, twisted her delicate features into a grotesque mask reminiscent of a vixen. She studied each of them carefully and then, with an air of authority, pointed a finger. "All of you, gather here and catch fish for me!"

Xie Zi Qing attempted to interject, "Catching fish? I...", but his words were abruptly silenced by Yu Huan's hand clamping down on his own, a tight squeeze of warning.

On the ground, the young girl's shadow seemed to sprout two pointed ears, a tail swaying ominously behind her. Clearly, she wasn't entirely human. Would they dare to resist?

The girl paid no heed to Xie Zi Qing's words. With her proclamation hanging in the air, she turned and strode away. Just before reaching the door, she twisted her head malevolently. "Hurry up! If you waste any more time, you'll end up as fish for me."

No need for imagination; the fate of becoming fish certainly didn't hold a pleasant outcome. Reluctantly, the five of them trailed behind the girl, their steps cautious.

In the countryside, an early night's rest was the norm, yet today, the Village of the Heavenly Immortals buzzed with unusual activity. An air of unease settled upon every face, and the faint tang of blood lingered, tainting the atmosphere. Evidently, something sinister had unfolded after the funeral.

Yu Xiang Guang's worry for Lin Chu intensified, yet he remained hesitant to seek out anyone or venture into the unknown. Retrieving his phone once more, he yearned for a new message to appear, a connection from the other side. Alas, his hopes were dashed.

An Xing Yu observed as they journeyed, noticing that despite the villagers' evident panic, they would halt in their tracks and offer greetings to the young girl as she passed. Even when a young man inadvertently overlooked her and continued his conversation, a nudge from his companion swiftly redirected his attention back to her, prompting a respectful salutation. Their demeanor carried an unmistakable reverence, a far cry from their interactions with an ordinary child.

Adding to this mystique, the villagers universally referred to her as Li Li.

With every step, the pace of the girl named Li Li quickened. In response, the group hastened their stride to keep up. A growing awareness dawned on them that Li Li possessed an unnatural stamina, prompting them to avoid lagging behind. With exertion driving them forward, they eventually reached their destination.

Under the moon's shimmer, a fetid lake sprawled before them, emitting an unrelenting noxious miasma. Climbing onto the bridge and casting their eyes upon the scene, some of the less experienced members of the group nearly succumbed to nausea.

Upon the water's surface, undulating ripples created an initial impression of pristine white waves. Yet, a closer gaze revealed the truth - bloated, putrefying bodies intertwined, sinking and surfacing in a macabre dance.

"Now, should any of you fail to catch a fish, you shall become fish for me," Li Li's words dripped with malice as she perched herself upon the bridge's railing. Her pitch-black eyes widened, meticulously scanning her surroundings.

Suppressing their initial repulsion, the small band exchanged knowing looks. An Xing Yu had already taken the lead, situated by the railing. With practiced ease, he opened the bait container, pausing briefly before adroitly baiting the fishing hook and casting his line into the river's depths.

In response, the formerly tranquil expanse of floating cadavers erupted into frenzy, voraciously biting at the fishing hooks. Their thrashing gave rise to splashes that sent water droplets flying, scattering detritus while intensifying the already pungent reek of decay.

At long last, the nature of the "fish" Li Li wished them to catch became unmistakably clear.

Suppressing her queasiness, Lin Xue Yuan settled herself beside An Xing Yu. She, too, extended a hand to open her own bait container. Just as her fingers grazed the container's surface, a jolt of alarm nearly caused her to topple it.

"This..." Words nearly failed her, her countenance betraying her growing panic.

An Xing Yu shook his head silently, and the fishing rod he held descended while the fishing line stretched taut.

A fish had taken the bait!

He attempted to reel it in, but the fishing rod proved to be surprisingly heavy. Holding his breath, he engaged in a tug of war with the fish, his calls for assistance echoing in the air.

The "fish" on the line was unexpectedly massive. Yu Huan joined the effort, pulling with all his might for an extended period until they managed to bring about half of the mysterious catch to the water's surface.

To their astonishment, it wasn't a fish at all—it was a male corpse. The clothes had disintegrated, leaving the naked body suspended from the fishing hook, a ghastly and pallid spectacle. An Xing Yu strained to pull it up, inadvertently meeting its lifeless gaze.

A somewhat indistinct red mark adorned the corpse's chest. And shockingly, he bore an identical mark on his own calf!

An Xing Yu relinquished his hold on the fishing rod, transferring the strain to his two companions. Yu Huan and Lu Yan stumbled forward, caught off guard by the sudden shift.

"Xiao An, what are you doing?" the tension in the air grew palpable.

In that moment, An Xing Yu's mind raced through a flurry of thoughts.

Why were other disciples present in this location? It had to be the will of the gods. Clearly, they were entrusted with a dangerous mission—he must not expose himself!

Indeed, were there more disciples lurking within the village? He needed to devise a plan to rendezvous with them discreetly.

With these notions swirling in his mind, he summoned his strength anew. Together, they dragged the unusual "fish" closer to the shore, steadily inching it out of the water.

Li Li, the young girl, seemed to regain her composure. Standing upon the narrow, less-than-a-meter-wide railing, she shouted into the distance, "Lucky, come here!"

A noxious gust of wind swept past as a hound with a sickly green visage—a creature whose flesh had nearly rotted away, leaving a skeletal visage—sprinted toward them. The fetid, icy breath of the hound hung in the air as it paused near Li Li, its bony paws nervously scraping the ground.

"Feast! I know you're hungry." Li Li urged, perched on the railing, just reaching the massive dog's head. She tenderly patted Lucky, who responded with a soft whimper, his tail swishing as he eagerly tucked into his meal.

Lucky's joy warmed Li Li's smile, though her demeanor turned serious as she turned to the others. Her finger extended, wagging a reprimanding gesture. "Keep on fishing. One catch each."

None of them relished the notion of being treated as "fish". The memory of An Xing Yu's fishing struggles propelled them into swift teamwork, an urgency driving them to not squander a moment. In short order, four fish were hauled ashore.

Lucky's tail wagged in contentment as he savored his meal. Completing his repast, he gave a hearty shake, and Li Li rewarded him with a pat on the head. Her finger aimed into the distance. "Return."

With an agile leap, the large dog vanished from their view.

Releasing a soft exhale through her nose, Li Li directed them, "Let's make our way back. Remember, lock your doors and seal your windows when you sleep. No matter the sounds that reach you, remain silent."

Those who understood they had narrowly escaped a disaster breathed sighs of relief, regrouping and retracing their path. An Xing Yu, however, glanced back surreptitiously. Li Li's form had melted into the surroundings.

*

*

Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Lu Yan persisted in his exploration of the forbidden area.

His entry had been pure happenstance, and it hadn't exactly endeared him to Li Li. The prospect of a subsequent entry dwindled in likelihood. Contemplating the scales of curiosity, tipped by the god of omniscience, he pressed onward, delving deeper into the unknown.

"Lu Yan, don't you feel the cold?" Lin Chu's voice trembled from behind, her question echoing one he had asked only moments before. Back then, Lin Chu had managed to bear it, but now, her hands and feet were almost frozen, her every step a battle against the creeping numbness.

The cold wasn't mere temperature drop; it felt like an otherworldly chill, as if it aimed to freeze their very souls. Lu Yan was no stranger to the cold either, having experienced the sensation of being an ice pop locked in a coffin. With time, he had grown accustomed to it. Blinking his dry eyes, he replied, "I'm okay."

Even as he spoke, he noticed the tightness in his own throat due to the cold. They had been walking for what seemed like an eternity, each step heavy and sluggish. Looking back, the terrain fell away in terraced layers of rock, descending into a sea of tombstones. The heart of this encircling graveyard was within their reach.

The closer they moved toward the center, the more intense the cold grew—laden with a despairing, sinister darkness that made the urge to retreat almost irresistible. Despite it all, Lu Yan gritted his teeth and pressed on. Before him, the last circle of tombstones came into view.

What lay at the heart of this ring of tombstones? At this moment, neither Lu Yan nor Lin Chu dwelled on the question. The need to get there propelled them forward, a shared determination that drowned out all else.

Unbeknownst to them, the first hints of crimson began streaking across the sky, a harbinger of the impending sunrise.

Lu Yan shifted within the innermost circle of tombstones, his gaze lowering to the ground. There, a pitch-black hole sprawled, roughly half a meter wide, its circular shape far from neat. The chilling, dark aura they had sensed emanated from this very hole. Standing at its mouth, the coldness seemed to root them in place even more.

That darkness appeared to swallow all light. What could be lurking within the hole/cave?

Lu Yan propelled himself forcefully backward, tumbling down the slope cautiously to avoid the surrounding tombstones. Coming to a halt, he looked up at Lin Chu.

Lin Chu mimicked his actions, rolling down beside him. Their rapid descent took a while to slow down.

Lu Yan steadied his breathing gradually. He combined the terrain he'd covered with the recent scene, mentally mapping it out. This forbidden area sprawled extensively, enclosed entirely by the forest, with the Village of the Heavenly Immortals nestled on the outskirts of the woods. The river Lili had taken him fishing near—though he had only seen a segment—circled the forbidden area if extended to both ends. They were guarding this forbidden area!

What, exactly, was this forbidden area?

Lin Chu pondered the same question. She panted heavily, glancing from the hole's entrance to their path, her eyes revealing hesitation. "Hey," Lin Chu's words escaped, her throat growing dry. Even she was surprised by her audacity. "What if we venture down there and take a peek?"